A semi-Lagrangian scheme for the game pp-Laplacian via pp-averaging

We present and analyze an approximation scheme for the two-dimensional game $p$-Laplacian in the framework of viscosity solutions. The approximation is based on a semi-Lagrangian scheme which exploits the idea of $p$-averages. We study the properties of the scheme and prove that it converges, in particular cases, to the viscosity solution of the game $p$-Laplacian. We also present a numerical implementation of the scheme for different values of $p$; the numerical tests show that the scheme is accurate.Comment: 34 pages, 3 figures. To appear on Applied Numerical Mathematic

An existence result for the sandpile problem on flat tables with walls

We derive an existence result for solutions of a differential system which characterizes the equilibria of a particular model in granular matter theory, the so-called partially open table problem for growing sandpiles. Such result generalizes a recent theorem of Cannarsa and Cardaliaguet established for the totally open table problem. Here, due to the presence of walls at the boundary, the surface flow density at the equilibrium may result no more continuous nor bounded, and its explicit mathematical characterization is obtained by domain decomposition techniques. At the same time we show how these solutions can be numerically computed as stationary solutions of a dynamical two-layer model for growing sandpiles and we present the results of some simulations.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

Mixed mucus-secreting and oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid - Pathologic, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of a case

We report a carcinoma that is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of a mixed mucus-secreting and oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid. We also describe the histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of this tumor. A 59-year-old man complaining of severe bone pain and weight loss underwent clinical and radiologic investigations. The studies revealed a nodule in the left thyroid lobe that was "cold" by (131)I scintiscan and multiple lytic lesions of the skeleton that showed increased uptake by (99m)Tc-Sestamibi scintiscan. Left hemithyroidectomy was performed and the surgical specimen contained a well-circumscribed nodule of 3 cm in the greatest diameter. Light microscopy showed an oncocytic carcinoma with an area of glandular and papillary proliferation of mucin-producing cells. A double histochemical approach (Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue-high-iron diamine) combined with ultrastructural investigation confirmed the presence of true mucus, ruling out the presence of breakdown products of thyroglobulin. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies, together with clinical findings, excluded a possible metastatic origin of the mucin-producing componen

Model for Gravitational Interaction between Dark Matter and Baryons

We propose a phenomenological model where the gravitational interaction between dark matter and baryons is suppressed on small, subgalactic scales. We describe the gravitational force by adding a Yukawa contribution to the standard Newtonian potential and show that this interaction scheme is effectively suggested by the available observations of the inner rotation curves of small mass galaxies. Besides helping in interpreting the cuspy profile of dark matter halos observed in N-body simulations, this potential regulates the quantity of baryons within halos of different masses.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, final versio

A Polyphenol-Rich Extract of Olive Mill Wastewater Enhances Cancer Chemotherapy Effects, While Mitigating Cardiac Toxicity

Cardiovascular toxicity remains one of the most adverse side effects in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is rich in cancer preventive polyphenols endowed with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant activities which could exert protective effects on heart cells. One very interesting derivative of EVOO preparation is represented by purified extracts from olive mill waste waters (OMWW) rich in polyphenols. Here, we have investigated the anti-cancer activity of a OMWW preparation, named A009, when combined with chemotherapeutics, as well as its potential cardioprotective activities. Mice bearing prostate cancer (PCa) xenografts were treated with cisplatin, alone or in combination with A009. In an in vivo model, we found synergisms of A009 and cisplatin in reduction of prostate cancer tumor weight. Hearts of mice were analyzed, and the mitochondria were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The hearts of mice co-treated with A009 extracts along with cisplatin had reduced mitochondria damage compared to the those treated with chemotherapy alone, indicating a cardioprotective role. To confirm the in vivo results, tumor cell lines and rat cardiomyocytes were treated with cisplatin in vitro, with and without A009. Another frequently used chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), was also tested in this assay, observing a similar effect. In vitro, the combination of A009 with cisplatin or 5-FU was effective in decreasing prostate and colon cancer cell growth, while it did not further reduce growth of rat cardiomyocytes also treated with cisplatin or 5-FU. A009 cardioprotective effects towards side effects caused by 5-FU chemotherapy were further investigated, using cardiomyocytes freshly isolated from mice pups. A009 mitigated toxicity of 5-FU on primary cultures of mouse cardiomyocytes. Our study demonstrates that the polyphenol rich purified A009 extracts enhance the effect of chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo, but mitigates chemotherpy adverse effects on heart and on isolated cardiomyocytes. Olive mill waste water extracts could therefore represent a potential candidate for cardiovascular prevention in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy

A Framework for Integrated Assessment Modelling

“Air quality plans” according to Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC Art. 23 are the strategic element to be developed, with the aim to reliably meet ambient air quality standards in a cost-effective way. This chapter provides a general framework to develop and assess such plans along the lines of the European Commission’s basic ideas to implement effective emission reduction measures at local, region, and national level. This methodological point of view also allows to analyse the existing integrated approaches

Linguistic markers of processing the first months of the pandemic COVID-19: a psycholinguistic analysis of Italian university students' diaries

A longitudinal psycholinguistic study was conducted with 107 students from different Italian universities that produced daily photo-diary entries for two weeks, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the first Italian lockdown period, imposed in view of the rapid dissemination of COVID -19. The task was to take a daily photo accompanied by a short description (text). The texts accompanying the photos were analysed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software to analyze linguistic markers representing psychological processes related to the experience of the pandemic and the lockdown, identifying potential changes in psycholinguistic variables useful for understanding the psychological impact of such harsh and extended restricted living conditions on Italian students. LIWC categories related to negation, anger, cognitive mechanisms, tentative discourse, past, and future increased statistically significantly between the two time points, while word count, prepositions, communication, leisure, and home decreased statistically significantly. While male participants used more articles at both time points, females used more words related to anxiety, social processes, past, and present at T1 and more related to insight at T2. Participants who lived with their partner showed higher scores on negative emotions, affect, positive feelings, anger, optimism, and certainty. Participants from southern Italy tended to describe their experiences from a collective and social perspective rather than an individual perspective. By identifying, discussing, and comparing these phenomena with the broader literature, a spotlight is shed for the first time on the psycholinguistic analysis of students at the national level who faced the first COVID -19 lockdown in Italy

Exposure to an enriched CO 2 atmosphere alters carbon assimilation and allocation in a pine forest ecosystem

We linked a leaf-level CO 2 assimilation model with a model that accounts for light attenuation in the canopy and measurements of sap-flux-based canopy conductance into a new canopy conductance-constrained carbon assimilation (4C-A) model. We estimated canopy CO 2 uptake ( A nC ) at the Duke Forest free-air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) study. Rates of A nC estimated from the 4C-A model agreed well with leaf gas exchange measurements ( A net ) in both CO 2 treatments. Under ambient conditions, monthly sums of net CO 2 uptake by the canopy ( A nC ) were 13% higher than estimates based on eddy-covariance and chamber measurements. Annual estimates of A nC were only 3% higher than carbon (C) accumulations and losses estimated from ground-based measurements for the entire stand. The C budget for the Pinus taeda component was well constrained (within 1% of ground-based measurements). Although the closure of the C budget for the broadleaf species was poorer (within 20%), these species are a minor component of the forest. Under elevated CO 2 , the C used annually for growth, turnover, and respiration balanced only 80% of the A nC . Of the extra 700 g C m −2  a −1 (1999 and 2000 average), 86% is attributable to surface soil CO 2 efflux. This suggests that the production and turnover of fine roots was underestimated or that mycorrhizae and rhizodeposition became an increasingly important component of the C balance. Under elevated CO 2 , net ecosystem production increased by 272 g C m −2  a −1 : 44% greater than under ambient CO 2 . The majority (87%) of this C was sequestered in a moderately long-term C pool in wood, with the remainder in the forest floor–soil subsystem.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73982/1/j.1365-2486.2003.00662.x.pd